The opening week of the NFL season is set to be an exhilarating one, featuring 16 matchups that promise to deliver high-stakes drama and intense competition. As the schedule kicks off on Thursday, Sept. 5, fans will be treated to a high-profile showdown between Patrick Mahomes, Travis Kelce, and the Kansas City Chiefs against Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens.
Notably, the Green Bay Packers will face the Philadelphia Eagles in an unconventional location: Brazil. This Friday matchup marks yet another example of the NFL's growing international presence, with games also slated for London and Mexico City throughout the season.
Sunday Showdowns
Sunday will be jam-packed with excitement as 13 games are set to take place. Among the noteworthy clashes, the Steelers will battle the Falcons, the Cowboys will contend with the Browns, and the Rams are slated to face off against the Lions.
Tight Contests Expected
Week 1 promises to be closely contested across the board, with no teams entering as double-digit favorites. The Bengals, however, are the narrowest of favorites, favored by nine points against the Patriots. It's worth mentioning that New England lost two of its final 10 games last season, and despite this, they've historically fared well against Cincinnati, going 6-2 against the spread in their past eight meetings.
Predictive Model Insights
The predictive model, a favored tool for savvy bettors, boasts an impressive track record. Since its inception, it has earned over $7,000 for $100 players on top-rated NFL picks. With a 185-129 run on top-rated picks dating back to the 2017 season—including a 39-21 run since Week 7 of last season—the model has identified five confident best bets for Week 1.
Lions in the Limelight
One of the standout games involves the Detroit Lions, who are favored by 3.5 points at home against the Los Angeles Rams. The Lions, who averaged an impressive 394.8 yards per game last season (the third-highest in the league), look to build on their offensive prowess under the leadership of Jared Goff. Goff had a stellar performance last season, throwing for 4,575 yards and 30 touchdowns.
Detroit's home field advantage is also notable, as the Lions are 8-1 in their past nine home games and 7-1 against the spread in their last eight September games. Furthermore, the Lions have a strong track record against NFC opponents, being 5-1 against the spread in their last six matchups. The Rams, on the other hand, have struggled on the road against Detroit, losing four of their last five away games in this matchup. The model predicts that the Lions will cover the spread against the Rams.
As fans gear up for the start of the season, the anticipation is palpable. With a slate of exciting matchups and tightly contested games, NFL Week 1 is set to deliver the kind of high-octane action that football aficionados crave.